Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs pathways players, Tatiana Finau, Litia Fusi, Noaria Kapua, Chelsea Makira, Alexis Tauaneai, Monalisa Soliola and Latisha Smythe have been selected in the NSW Women's squad for the standalone Under 19's State of Origin match.
NSWRL announced the Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Under 19s squad on Monday, with the match set to be played at Kayo Stadium in Redcliffe on Thursday 13 July.
The squad, which will be coached by Kate Mullaly - an assistant coach for the Harvey Norman NSW Sky Blues - and includes players who took part in the 2023 Harvey Norman Tarsha Gale Cup. The Bulldogs side of which, were the 2023 Minor Premiers and competition runners-up.
Monalisa Soliola was announced to the team, returning for her second consecutive year. The Bulldogs forward played a key role in leading her side to the 2023 NSWRL grandfinal and now returns to the sky blue after her making her Origin debut in last year's side who scored a decisive 22-6 win over QLD.
The Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Under 19s team has not been beaten since the concept first started in 2019, winning every year apart from 2020 when the game was not played due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Alexis Tauaneai was also announced to the team after proving to be a cornerstone in the Bulldogs Tarsha Gale Cup forward pack. Her strong carry and running game yielded her the 2023 NSWRL Tarsha Gale Player of the Year Award in April. She was quickly elevated to make her Harvey Norman Women's Premiership debut for the Bulldogs and is now also preparing to make her NRLW debut this season under the Dragons.
Tatiana Finau, a fellow recruit from New Zealand, came to the Bulldogs via the Club's New Zealand satellite program and is an elusive backrower and talented goal-kicker.
Halfback, hooker and 2023 Bulldogs Tarsha Gale Cup Captain, Chelsea Makira will also pull on the sky blue gernsey for the first time in 2023. She will offer strong defense, good service and a strong kicking game to the side.
Goal-kicking edge-back rower, Noaria Kapua earned her place in the squad following a stellar season that saw her dominating opposition teams, scoring tries and landing goals as the back-up kicker for Finau.
Latisha Smythe earned the Club's 2023 Tarsha Gale Cup Coaches Award after selflessly playing out of position all season for the Bulldogs (front row). Her efforts now rewarded with an Origin debut.
Latia Fusi will cause trouble for the QLD Maroons outside backs as a powerful and strong, ball-running centre.
Bulldogs General Manager of Female Pathways and Junior League, Barry Ward was delighted to hear of the players' selection:
"It is an outstanding achievement for any player to be selected in an Origin side. Each of these young girls deserves to be among the Blues squad and for our Club to achieve seven selections from our Tarsha Gale Cup side, it's an exceptional thing.
"We committed to growing our female pathways program in 2023 and I believe their selections prove the direction that our Club is headed in. It speaks volumes to the future of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and our female Academy," he said.
"I wish them the very best and can't wait to watch them excel, playing for their State and at this elite level."
The Under 19's State of Origin match will be played on July 13 at Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe.
HARVEY NORMAN NSW WOMEN’S UNDER 19s SQUAD (in alphabetical order):
Charlotte Barwick (Newcastle Knights)
Marley Cardwell (Penrith Panthers)
Kate Fallon (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Tatiana Finau (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
Litia Fusi (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
Kalosipani Hopoate (North Sydney Bears)
Chloe Jackson (North Sydney Bears)
Evie Jones (Newcastle Knights)
Noaria Kapua (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
Chelsea Makira (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
Leah Ollerton (Newcastle Knights)
Latisha Smythe (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
Monalisa Soliola (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
Brooke Talataina (Sydney Roosters)
Alexis Tauaneai (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
Lindsay Tui (Parramatta Eels)
Grace-Lee Weekes (North Sydney Bears)
Georgia Willey (Canberra Raiders)
Sienna Williams (North Sydney Bears)
Coach: Kate Mullaly
